Protective sheath

Abstract

A protective sheath including a first portion configured to receive a medical instrument. The protective sheath also includes a second portion configured to accommodate movement of a distal end of the medical instrument within the second portion. The second portion is moveably coupled to the first portion. The protective sheath is configured to control contamination of the medical instrument when the medical instrument and the protective sheath are placed within a patient.

1 . A protective sheath comprising:
 a first portion configured to receive a medical instrument; and   a second portion configured to accommodate movement of a distal end of said medical instrument within said second portion, wherein said second portion is moveably coupled to said first portion, and wherein said protective sheath is configured to control contamination of said medical instrument when said medical instrument and said protective sheath are placed within a patient.   
     
     
         2 . The protective sheath of  claim 1 , wherein said first portion is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         3 . The protective sheath of  claim 1 , comprising a high dielectric material for insulating said patient from electrical current when said medical instrument and said protective sheath are placed within said patient. 
     
     
         4 . The protective sheath of  claim 1 , wherein said second portion is further configured to accommodate rotational, axial and bending movements of said distal end of said medical instrument within said second portion. 
     
     
         5 . The protective sheath of  claim 1 , wherein said second portion comprises a sub-portion that is axially and rotationally coupled to said first portion. 
     
     
         6 . The protective sheath of  claim 1 , wherein said second portion comprises a boot portion configured to accommodate a bending movement of said distal end of said medical instrument within said boot portion. 
     
     
         7 . The protective sheath of  claim 1 , wherein said second portion comprises a distal aperture, wherein said distal aperture is configured to allow at least a portion of an end effector of said medical instrument to protrude there from. 
     
     
         8 . The protective sheath of  claim 1 , wherein said first portion and said second portion are configured to receive a laparoscopic instrument. 
     
     
         9 . A method for protecting a medical instrument, said method comprising:
 disposing a protective sheath over said medical instrument, wherein said protective sheath comprises a first portion and a second portion; and   accommodating movement of said medical instrument within said second portion of said protective sheath.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 insulating a patient from electrical current, by a high dielectric material of said protective sheath, when said medical instrument and said protective sheath are placed within said patient.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said accommodating movement of said medical instrument within said second portion comprises:
 accommodating rotational, axial and bending movements of said distal end of said medical instrument within said second portion.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said accommodating movement of said distal end of said medical instrument within said second portion comprises:
 accommodating a bending movement of said distal end of said medical instrument within a boot portion.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 axially and rotationally coupling said second portion of said protective sheath to said first portion of said protective sheath.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said disposing said protective sheath over said medical instrument comprises:
 disposing said protective sheath over a laparoscopic instrument.